Bethlehem Champion Bench Burner

[GlassBBQ]

ORIGINALLY POSTED THIS REVIEW ON REDDIT.COM/R/LAMPWORK

Well I got an upgrade that has pushed me to a new level in lampworking.

I am coming to the Champion from the Nortel Red Max with a Premix top.

First Hands On Experience
This torch is big. The Red Max is about half the size.

The heavy base with rubber feet keeps the torch in place. Didn't even need to worry about c-clamping the torch down the the table. Even with the extra hosing pulling down with the foot pedal down below.

Rack and pinion! This thing is smooooooth and tight! Turn the knob with ease and it stays in place. You cannot move the torch up and down without turning the knob.

The Flame
This is my first all surface mix torch. Coming from the screaming banshee premix top, this sweet, soft whisper in my ear is wonderful. I can turn down the music and hear someone beside me while I work.

The Champion is a low pressure torch. 5 psi fuel and 20 psi oxy per Bethlehem's recommendations.

The center flame is 6 ports and is hot! I am using a Rock It Foot Pedal with oxy bypass. This allows oxygen to flow on the outside. This give your center flame more oxygen, giving you a little bit more flame dynamics and a better oxidizing flame. An oxidizing flame is friendlier to most colors. The oxy bypass also provides extra face protection the outer fire of the torch.

The outer flame is great! Super hot and there is just something about it. It heats up so evenly all around the glass is almost seems unreal. This is something that seemed to be missing from the Red Max.

I have not compared this to a Mirage yet, but with my experience on a Lynx, the flame is easier to dial in. Very easy learning curve with just the dual mix compared to GTT triple mix. Going to have a few people over soon who use a GTT to try the Champion to see how it compares.

Other Thoughts
I got a Griffin L Marver (same one for the Bravo fits the Champion). Works well, but blocks the outer fire knobs just a little bit.

Cleaning tools included with the torch are great. Wire cleaners, copper brush, and a stick to 'tap' the carbon out. A big step up from Nortel's one wire port cleaner and little to no instructions on upkeep.

It's beautiful. A big step away from the old Bethlehem torches with brass and water cooling. Looks more like GTT style now. Stays cool from about 2" down from the face of the torch. All stainless steel body.

Valves are something to get use to from the Red Max. These are needle point valves and they are sensitive, which has been my biggest learning curve.

My 2 cent

This is an awesome, well made torch and it's readily available! This is a great alternative to the GTT Phantom or Mirage which have long wait lists for a new torch. Also I feel Bethlehem's customer and torch service are superior to GTT's. Bethlehem has it so they will rent you a Bravo while your torch is being serviced, and the service is done quickly. I have heard stories of months waiting on repairs from GTT. I can't imagine being without a torch for a few weeks.

Bethlehem also has a lifetime warranty on their torches. You can find it HERE

PICTURES OF TORCH IN ACTION AND BESIDE THE RED MAX

[PyroChixRock]

Thanks for the well thought out review. Repped!

[jusbag]

I'd still recommend clamping it down. Sometimes a piece of clothing can get caught on a knob, then it's a torch in the lap experience :-)

[GlassBBQ]

Better safe than burned crotch!

[Kool]

Unless you're into that kind of thing.

[cheesebox]

or burnt dog, guaranteed the dog isnt into that thing

[Jar-Jar]

Nice review I was thinking of upgrading from my red max to phantom some time this year but I think I will go with the champion

[Flowlo]

Hey mrjustin good job on the review, have you compared with mirage yet ?

[GlassBBQ]

Hey mrjustin good job on the review, have you compared with mirage yet ?

Getting Joe on it this week, he use to own one, now runs a Lynx. I'll let you know his thoughts soon.

[hammer]

I just ordered a Champion. I can't afford the foot pedal yet.

[GlassBBQ]

^ Make sure you have/buy y-connects

[hammer]

^ Make sure you have/buy y-connects

Thanks,
I bought those as well.

[GlassBBQ]

Just got my friend Joe over to try out the Champion and he was surprised with how versatile it is. He dialed in small flames and was blown by how hot the outer flame is. All in all he said it was an easy contender for Mirage. Biggest difference between the two flames seems to be GTT is a laser and Bethlehem is softer, but both equally hot.

I'll try to get some more input from a long time vet of GTT, Matt with Blue Lily soon.

[hammer]

I'm trying to design my own bench mount stand for use on the lathe. Any ideas on how to do this without welds? I know you can buy them from Martin Glassworks but I'm determined to build my own.

[GlassBBQ]

Here is harryl90's Champion mount for his lathe. http://www.talkglass.com/forum/showt...920#post777920

[aREa541]

Here's how I did mine. Just used a pair of metal drawer glides that I attached to a lazy susan. I screwed the glides down at the stop point I wanted for pulling the torch out. Total cost was about $25.

Things I would change: I would mount the glides upside down, or put some sort of metal sheath over it so glass didn't get in the tracks. I wrapped wood in aluminum for the two plates on the lazy susan and the pieces under the rails. I might change that to flat metal bar and plate at some point, but the current setup has worked great so far.

[somewhere]

Here's how I did mine. Just used a pair of metal drawer glides that I attached to a lazy susan. I screwed the glides down at the stop point I wanted for pulling the torch out. Total cost was about $25. Things I would change: I would mount the glides upside down, or put some sort of metal sheath over it so glass didn't get in the tracks. I wrapped wood in aluminum for the two plates on the lazy susan and the pieces under the rails. I might change that to flat metal bar and plate at some point, but the current setup has worked great so far. <img src="http://www.talkglass.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=59995"/>

Great ideas.

I would like to see a couple set screws to quickly lock it down in position but over all that's some fine engineering.

[jr23]

I also seen two brand new champions for 1399 buy it know on eBay.

Sucks if you just ordered one for 1600 from beth.

Because a glass supply house ran a sale buy a 1600 dollar torch and get a 300 dollar store credit.


Which makes me think the dealer price break is pretty big.

Gtt does not leave that much on the bone for the dealers

[aREa541]

Great ideas.

I would like to see a couple set screws to quickly lock it down in position but over all that's some fine engineering.

Thanks Sky, after getting the lathe I realized I probably need to spend at least the same amount again to get all the peripherals I want. So, in comes things like this to get me running and save me cash that can be put towards another tool.

I was thinking something to lock it in place would be greatwould be great but kinda drew a blank on a good solution. It's funny how something as simple as a set screw eluded me, that should work great.

I also seen two brand new champions for 1399 buy it know on eBay.

Sucks if you just ordered one for 1600 from beth.

Because a glass supply house ran a sale buy a 1600 dollar torch and get a 300 dollar store credit.


Which makes me think the dealer price break is pretty big.

Gtt does not leave that much on the bone for the dealers

True, but GTT'S are so liquid that stores would rarely have to offer sales to move stock it seems.

As far as the Champion, I would love to hear from someone who has used both the Champ and a PM2D for a good amount of time - especially if they have used a PM2D with the unnecessary fuel ports intentionally blocked which cleans up the flame considerably.

I enjoyed the PM2D I had for awhile, but in the end I felt the sloppy centerfire and lack of a penetrating flame really didn't make the torch as versatile as I need for the way I work.

I did love the way it wrapped around and bathed the glass though, you would have to be having a seizure to not heat the glass evenly.

[hammer]

I also seen two brand new champions for 1399 buy it know on eBay.

Sucks if you just ordered one for 1600 from beth.

Because a glass supply house ran a sale buy a 1600 dollar torch and get a 300 dollar store credit.


Which makes me think the dealer price break is pretty big.

Gtt does not leave that much on the bone for the dealers

I offered that guy 1000.00 for my new Champion and shockingly he accepted. I think he has two more.